I chose to run this race because I wanted a BIG race experience, and I wanted one that was close enough to home that we could drive rather than fly to get there. Plus, I had many friends recommend this to me as an AWESOME race, and they weren't wrong!

The race is fairly expensive but on par with other big city races with this number of participants. Washington, DC/Northern Virginia is also pretty expensive for hotel room prices, and getting to the Expo and the Start/Finish Lines required public transportation. It was fairly easy, but it did require some time researching for someone who is used to getting in her car and going.

The Race Expo was full of great merchandise and vendors. It was also in a nice location, in spite of the metro/shuttle ride to get there, and we were able to have a great lunch 24 hours out from race time. The weather was rainy and chilly pre-race, but the skies cleared, and it was a nice 48-55 degrees with a blue sky for race time.

Course support from the spectators, music, and especially the Marines was fantastic! Views on course were great, ranging from city to forest to national monuments to crewers on the river to the Blue Mile. There were a few out-and-back sections where you could see and interact with other racers face-to-face. The course itself was fairly flat, but, for me, it was challenging due to a constantly cambered road surface riddled with potholes. I'm having my longest marathon recovery ever, and I blame it on the slanted roads.

As a 'mid-to-back of the pack' runner, this was the first marathon I've run that didn't feel slightly desolate in the later miles. Every mile of this race was packed with people and spectators and noise. With no half marathon splitting off, we were all out there for the long haul. The race does feature a 10K (my husband ran it) that overlaps some of the same course, but that race's Start Line if far from the marathon's, and they start at the same time.

The ending of this race is challenging, 0.2 miles up a steep hill. However, what makes up for it is the cheering Marines lining the finish chute and the sweet medal!

I would race the Marine Corps Marathon again without hesitation! If interested in a much longer recount of my race, see my blog, "The Running French Prof," at this link: https://therunningfrenchprof.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/marine-corps-marathon-sunday-october-28-2018/#more-4063.